Winkler Generations
Benjamin Winkler was the second child of Charles William Winkler & Elizabeth Jane Hicks. He was born on 21 April 1893 in Wallaroo, South Australia. Benjamin was baptised on 6 August 1896 along with his sister Ettie and older brother Richard.
Benjamin Winkler was employed as a labourer in the Wallaroo smelting works before he enlisted in the Australian Army on 27 March 1916. Shortly before he embarked for overseas service Ben married 21-year-old Doris Pearl Hocking, on 6 July 1916, at the residence of Albert Moore, Wallaroo, South Australia. Ben was 23 years old. The next day, Ben and six other Wallaroo soldiers, were given a great send off by a gathering of towns-people and dignitaries at the Wallaroo Town Hall. Ben embarked for overseas service in Adelaide on board HMAT Ballarat on 12 August 1916 with the 32nd Battalion. The 32nd Battalion had been raised at Mitcham, South Australia on 9 August 1915. They were involved in heavy fighting in Ypres, Belgium in September 1917 and participated in the battle of Amiens from 8 August 1918. |
The 32nd Battalion had been raised at Mitcham SA on 9 August 1915. They were involved in heavy fighting in Ypres, Belgium in September 1917 and participated in the battle of Amiens from 8 August 1918. During the operations of 27-29 August 1918, covering the advance from Fontaine-les-Cappy to the river Somme, Private Benjamin Winkler “displayed great courage and devotion to duty as a Company Runner. He repeatedly had to cross ground swept by heavy machine gun and artillery fire. His duties were carried out in a most fearless manner and with fine willingness both by day and night and he rendered service to platoon commanders and flanking units. By his utter disregard of personal danger Private Winkler set a very fine standard of devotion to duty and courage to his comrades.”
Ben was recommended for the military medal by the Brigadier General 8th Australian Infantry Brigade on 8 September 1918 but this may have later been amended to a Mention in Corps Orders.
Ben was welcomed home to Wallaroo in February 1919 after three years of active service. He was congratulated on his good record. The Cheer-Up Society and a large concourse of people gathered at the station, and gave ringing cheers for the soldier as he left for his home in a motor. Bunting was flown from the corporation offices and many flagstaffs in honour of the homecoming hero. The school fife and drum band played lively airs, and on arrival of the train at the station struck up “Home Sweet Home.”
Ben’s wife, Doris, had a daughter Doris Jean (known as Dolly) born on 15 October 1917 at Wallaroo. By 1920 when their second daughter, Lorna Frances was born on 5 January 1920, Ben and Doris had moved to Adelaide. A son, Colin Roy, was born on 17 May 1921. Colin was later to serve in the Australian Army during World War II.
Ben was recommended for the military medal by the Brigadier General 8th Australian Infantry Brigade on 8 September 1918 but this may have later been amended to a Mention in Corps Orders.
Ben was welcomed home to Wallaroo in February 1919 after three years of active service. He was congratulated on his good record. The Cheer-Up Society and a large concourse of people gathered at the station, and gave ringing cheers for the soldier as he left for his home in a motor. Bunting was flown from the corporation offices and many flagstaffs in honour of the homecoming hero. The school fife and drum band played lively airs, and on arrival of the train at the station struck up “Home Sweet Home.”
Ben’s wife, Doris, had a daughter Doris Jean (known as Dolly) born on 15 October 1917 at Wallaroo. By 1920 when their second daughter, Lorna Frances was born on 5 January 1920, Ben and Doris had moved to Adelaide. A son, Colin Roy, was born on 17 May 1921. Colin was later to serve in the Australian Army during World War II.
His brother Perce told some stories about Ben: that he had been shot at during the war but that a cigarette tin in his pocket stopped the bullet and he was not injured. Ben was also known to like a drink and spent a lot of time at the Hilton Hotel. The family lived at 11 Bennett St, Hilton, South Australia. Ben was employed as a saddler.
On 14 May 1938, eldest daughter Doris (Dot) Winkler married Percival Inman Edis. Percival and Dot had two children, Robert Maxwell (Bobby) and Graham Roy. Lorna Winkler married Jack Bunney and they had three children, Doris, Lynette and Terry. Colin Winkler married Helen Mary Mitchell, however it is not known, at this time if they had children.
On 14 May 1938, eldest daughter Doris (Dot) Winkler married Percival Inman Edis. Percival and Dot had two children, Robert Maxwell (Bobby) and Graham Roy. Lorna Winkler married Jack Bunney and they had three children, Doris, Lynette and Terry. Colin Winkler married Helen Mary Mitchell, however it is not known, at this time if they had children.
Benjamin Winkler died on 5 July 1978 aged 75 years. His ashes are interred at Centennial Park Cemetery. At that time he had five grandchildren and fourteen great grandchildren. His wife Doris (known as Dorrie or Wink), died at the Austral Nursing Home ten years later on 12 October 1988. She was laid to rest next to Ben at Centennial Park Cemetery.
Descendants of Benjamin Winkler
Benjamin Winkler was born on 21 April 1893 in Wallaroo, South Australia, died on 5 July 1978 in Hilton, South Australia at age 85 years and his remains were interred at Centenary Park Cemetery, Pasadena, South Australia. Benjamin married Doris Pearl Hocking on 6 July 1916 in Wallaroo, South Australia. Doris was born on 7 June 1895 in Wallaroo, South Australia, died on 12 October 1988 in Morphettville, South Australia at age 93 years and her remains were interred at Centennial Park Cemetery, Pasadena, South Australia. They had three children: Doris Jean, Lorna Frances and Colin Roy.
- Doris Jean Winkler was born on 15 October 1917 in Wallaroo, South Australia and died on 28 January 2013 in South Australia at age 95 years. Doris married Percival Inman Edis on 14 May 1938 in Adelaide, South Australia. Percival was born on 3 March 1916 in Queenstown, South Australia and died on 11 December 1976 in Bordertown, South Australia at age 60 years. They had two children: Robert Maxwell and Graham Roy.
- Lorna Frances Winkler was born on 5 January 1920 in Kent Town, South Australia and died on 19 December 2014 at Marion, South Australia at age 94 years. Lorna married Jack Bunney. Jack was born on 28 October 1918 at Mile End, South Australia and died on 21 May 1989 at Christie Downs, South Australia at age 70 years. They had three children: Doris, Lynette and Terry.
- Colin Roy Winkler was born on 17 May 1921 in Kent Town, South Australia and died on 4 January 2008 in Ashford, South Australia at age 86 years. Colin married Helen Mary Mitchell. Helen was born on 16 July 1924 in Southwark, South Australia and died on 4 June 2012 in North Adelaide at age 87 years.